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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Book Party Was a Success!

On Saturday night, a crew of fabulous guests came to The Sewing Studio to help me celebrate my book release. It was a grand time! Above you'll see me and my parents, who came all the way from Arizona. Attendees raised $800 in donations for Pets Alive!

I set up a little display at the entry with my half-scale dress form, which I draped in rose fabric. My publishers sent me the lovely flowers! I completed the effect with a bowl of Coats and Clark thread in the color "Lipstick" (how appropos!).

Jeff set up the bar.

Here's me and the fabulous Ava from Creativebug getting ready.

Some dresses on display. I wore the strapless party dress from the book, which is embroidered black organdy with a silk taffeta lining. Festive!

Jeff bought me a cake with the book cover on it!

It got crowded! Dad says I never shut my mouth the entire party, as evidenced in the below shot.

Friends came from near and far.

Mom with guest Darby, who wore an adorable plaid frock she made.

There were lots of super cool bloggers there. I wish I had pictures of all of them to show you. Speaking of which, if you were there and got some pictures, please send them my way! I was apparently too busy running my mouth to get good shots. Oh, and signing books!

Sorry for the off-topic question, but I have bought your sewing book, and have a question. When pad stitching collars, is the pad stitching supposed to show on the other side? I am unsure. I was confused because I now live in a state which gets quite cold in winter, and turning up collars for protection against the cold is an option, but if I got this stitching showing....Nadine (btw....LOVE the book! And the patterns are sooo cute!)

Hi there! The pad stitching usually shows as little puckers on the collar underside--you should not see thread. If that bothers you, I would recommend using fusible interfacing instead. So glad you are enjoying the book!

I've been following your blog since 2009 and I'm thrilled that you've managed to turn your passion into your career. I got a copy of your book last week and it's wonderful, very aesthetically pleasing and great info and patterns. Can't wait to get started sewing! Glad your party went well, you looked so pretty.

Gertie congratulations on your beautiful, informative, useful book! I pre-ordered and when I finally got the book yesterday I couldn't wait to begin to read it - it was a very late night indeed! I love that you included metric measurements for us non-Americans!

Awwww! I love the picture of you and your parents. I can see where you got your looks and style. The party looks to have fab. Your party dress is beautiful and retro! Congratulations on a great lauch and book signing. The next time I see you two, I will be hoping to get your autographs in your new books.

Oh how I wish I could have been there! Have had your book on pre-order since you first announced it and I was very excited when it arrived a couple of weeks ago. May I congratulate you on a fanstatic piece of work! The garments are all beautiful, the techical instructions are clear and provide a wealth of information that you just don't find in a lot of other sewing books out there and I just adore the vintage style illustrations throughout the book. All in all completely fab. Well done!

I was very happy to return from work today to find your book in the mail. I really like your conversational writing style, the clear instructions on garment construction and the photographs showing the internals of the garments. Congratulations on a wonderful and inspirational book.

oh how fun and special!!!!! looks like a great time was had by all. the cake is super cool. the gift bags, deco, your dress - everything looked perfect! wishi was state side and could go to a book signing.i am going to get this book for myself when i manage to save a little money - doing your coat sewalong has put me back a little for my crafting budget for a couple of months ;)

Gertie! Suck a nice party, but oh, the dress! It is wonderful!!! And you say it is in the book??? I am reading it cover to cover, of course, but I am still in the techniques part. I will make it no doubt, it is simply gorgeous! I'm realyy livng your book too.Congrats!

Congratulations on the success! I have looked at the book... it is inspiring. I am new to blogging and found your blog on a bunch of peoples blog rolls.. YOU are inspiring... I love it... thanks for following your passion, it makes it seem plausible and POSSIBLE for me too! I am hoping to purchase the book... soon. I just recently moved and I have A LOT of books... right now, just overwhelmed! (oh, and I agree, the cake IS super COOL!)

Your book arrived and I've started to read it from A to Z .I must be one of you oldest fans (in age), and this book is rekindling my interest in how I dress, looking nice, and trying out new ideas.I'm not going to join the coat project as the style is just not right for me, but I'm going to use your techniques to make another coat like the "cocoon" style I made last year, and also make a winter dress with Vogue vintage pattern I've bought.Thanks so much!

Wish I could have attended! Do a book signing in San Francisco next! I pre-ordered your book and have made the Bow Tie blouse with Peter Pan collar so far. I LOVE IT! It's just the cutest damn thing ever, especially with the vintage buttons up the back.

Hi Gertie!Your blog is amazing.I'm looking for a pattern for the kind of dress you were wearing in this article. The black and white strapless dress is just so cute and I would like to make my bridal dress looks the same (just more white/ivory than black).Could you please tell me where I can find it?

I also wanted to know what are the patterns presented in your book (or an idea: skirts, dresses, pants...) because in France and Germany I can'y find a store where I can buy your book. Amazon is the only option but I wanted to scan a bit the book before buying it.

Hi Domi, the pattern for the strapless dress is included with my book. If you'd like to preview more of the book, you can check out this Flickr set:http://www.flickr.com/photos/34967485@N07/sets/72157630667562742/